I AND YOU - A Review by Bob Rubin For TSP News
One set, two actors and three words describe “I and You”. It was amazing! Better yet…it’s a masterpiece. And Citadel Theatre gets a big pat on the back for playing it.
"Hedda Gabler" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham
***RECOMMENDED*** "Hedda Gabler" In a punchy new adaptation by Mark O'Rowe, which feels both deferential to Ibsen's original text while also being extremely modern, several company members of The Artistic Home give credible performances under Monica's Payne's solid direction. 3.5 SPOTLIGHTS
LEGALLY BLONDE, THE MUSICAL - Review by Bob Rubin For TSP News
Elle Woods, played by Kayla Shipman is the icing on the cake. She knocks it out of the park. Mandy Modic, director of “Legally Blonde” pulls all the production pieces together to make one entertaining evening. Add to that the amazing Music Theater Works Orchestra and this reviewer has to give this a “Highly Recommended” rating.
DAMES AT SEA Reviewed by, Keith Laggos, PhD for TSP
Pure entertainment from the beginning to end; “Dames at Sea” combines excellently choreographed and performed tap dancing with at times hints of ballet, beautiful singing, all accented with humor. Even if you think you are not a fan of tap dancing, you will not be able to resist joining numerous spontaneous applauds. The story is based on the World War two era. How things have changed will bring a smile to your face.
DAMES AT SEA - LIFE DOES IMITATE ART - A review by Bob Rubin for TSP News
So, I went to the preview (dress rehearsal) before opening night. The main character lead Melody Rowland, who plays Ruby, was sick and her understudy Maya Paletta filled in. She was terrific…high energy, good dancer and very likeable. The storyline of “Dames at Sea” has the same scenario. Narcissistic Mona, played unsympathetically, but very well, by Clara Jarvis, the star of this 1930’s style musical, gets sick. Ruby (Maya Paletta) must step in to save the day. Life does imitate art, after all. I am told that Melody is also quite amazing.
"Seven Guitars" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham
****HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Playwright August Wilson, famous for creating his "Century Cycle" of ten plays exploring and celebrating the African American experience, was quite clearly a very good listener. One can't help picturing him seated in one of his favorite diners or coffee shops located within the Hill District neighborhood of his native Pittsburgh, with his omnipresent yellow legal notepad in hand, eavesdropping on the conversations taking place around him and jotting down notes or nascent ideas for future projects. 4 SPOTLIGHTS
"Into the Woods" - Review by Jeffrey Leibham
***RECOMMENDED The mere prospect of mounting a production of "Into the Woods" may be nearly as daunting as some of the obstacles that the fairytale characters face once they have entered the foreboding forest in Stephen Sondheim's beloved musical. You need a very strong cast to make this particular show truly sing. After all, as famously parodied in the delightfully twisted show "Forbidden Broadway" in which those cast members lamented Sondheim's endlessly tricky rhyme schemes and demanding lyrics during the "Into the Words" number, not just anyone can pull this off. When it was announced that Kokandy Productions would be concluding their 2024 season with "Into the Woods," hopes were very high as this particular company has had much success with Sondheim's work in the past. 3 SPOTLIGHTS
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS…STAGE VS SCREEN - Review by Bob Rubin For TSP News
“Little Shop of Horrors” is a smorgasbord of genres. It is sci-fi, drama, horror, romance and comedy supported by rousing classic pop rock music.
"Noises Off" - Reviewed by Keith B. Laggos, PHD. For TSP Productions
“Noises Off” is a hilarious farce of British wit and slap stick humor. A well done production set turns as if it is a “lazy susan” between the three acts provides the audience a view of the goings on shenanigans during a play production. You can only pray this is not typical of most plays.
NEVER BETTER… A Breakthough Musical! - A Review by Bob Rubin For TSP News
This reviewer was mesmorized as all the musicians not only supplied great orchestration but, acted and sang amazingly. This unusual musical prodcution is the brainchild of Preston Max Allen. He worked on it for ten years, adding, deleting, and tweaking until he felt comfortable. Preston created the story, music and lyrics. If the unique production does not impress you, the musical numbers will.